Osprey Transporter Review

The Osprey Transporter duffel bag uses the company's well-respected backpack technology to create a comfortable and high-quality piece of luggage. The carrying comfort of the stowable backpack harness is unmatched, and an additional four oversized and well-padded grab handles provide alternative carrying options. While the 630-denier recycled polyester material is technically less robust than other high-end contenders, it is a durable bag coated with a waterproof laminate on both sides for dependable weather protection. A strong overall performer, the Transporter is ideal for those who will need to carry their duffel on foot for extended periods of time.

Storage and Ease of Packing

The newest version of the Transporter kept much of the same design as the previous model, which we love, as it is convenient to use with no extra hassle. We're able to easily open and access the main compartment, with the backpack straps both stowed and deployed. We again tested the 95-liter version to stay consistent, but were pleased to note that the newest model is now available in two additional sizes. Osprey added a 30-liter and 150-liter version to the lineup of existing 40, 65, and 120-liter volume options.

We did note that the new version of the Transporter is wider and slightly shorter, with an overall wider opening. Ultimately, this didn't impact our perception of the bag one way or another. We found it just as easy to pack and carry.

The inside of the primary storage compartment features two buckled compression straps to keep your contents snuggly packed and includes a zippered mesh storage pocket on one end to keep smaller contents secure and organized. We really appreciate the compression straps on larger bags, and especially on the Transporter, to help keep our gear as organized as possible throughout travel. While we always appreciate extra storage pockets, the internal pocket's location on the end of the bag can be a little hard to access when the duffel is fully loaded. The design of the new Transporter improves on the ability to access inside the main compartment, making it easier to reach the interior pocket.

The other end of the bag has a convenient external storage pocket. An overlapping rain flap protects the zipper from the elements and also includes an ID window to stash a business card or your contact info.

Ease of Transport

The backpack-style carrying system of the Osprey Transporter is more comfortable than any other option in our lineup. The entire backpack harness mimics the design found on Osprey's highly-regarded backpacking packs. It includes contoured shoulder straps with comfortable mesh padding and an adjustable chest strap with an emergency whistle. The most recent version of the Trasporter again foregoes load lifter straps, and we noticed a slight change in the foam pattern of the straps. We're pleased to note that this didn't change the performance at all.

In addition to the backpack harness, the Transporter includes four robust grab handles — one on each side of the bag — for traditional briefcase-style carrying or for lugging out of the trunk or off the baggage claim. While both of these carrying options are well-designed and quite effective, the Transporter leaves out traditional duffel carry handles and an over-the-shoulder messenger-style strap found on some other duffels. We love the stowable harness for airline travel; tucking away the straps provides a sleek and snag-free bag.

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If you regularly haul your high-capacity luggage on your back over longer distances and can live without the extra handles or straps, then the Transporter is one of the best options short of a dedicated backpack. If you don't need such a fancy backpack harness and you'd like the extra versatility of a few additional carrying methods, then another duffel may be a better option. Keep in mind that although it has a comfortable backpack harness, it still lacks a stiffened back panel and a supportive waist belt that make proper backpacking more comfortable and efficient over longer distances.

The newest model has a slightly different style and layout to the daisy-chain lash points on each corner of the duffel, but the change didn't impact performance at all.

Protection

The Transporter is one of the top scorers in this performance metric thanks to its coated 630-denier recycled ripstop nylon coated with carbonate and PFAS-free DWR treatment on each side that does an excellent job of repelling water. The newer model dropped from 900-denier down to 630-denier, shaving over a half pound off, without sacrificing any protection from the weather. The bottom of the bag is a burlier 840-denier recycled nylon.

While the seams are not fully sealed and the zippers are not fully waterproof, the Transporter still passed our high-pressure hose test with flying colors. All external zippers are covered with a one-inch protective rain flap to help direct water away from the zippers. After our rain test, there wasn't a single drop of water that breached the bag. Even after sitting on wet ground for an hour, no water was able to seep through the bottom of the bag.

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Construction Quality

Constructed from 630-denier recycled nylon, the Osprey Transporter is relatively robust compared to the rest of our overall lineup but falls short of some of the top-ranked expedition duffels with their 1000-denier builds. A few other highly-ranked models also include a layer of padding or an extra reinforcement layer of bottom material to help resist abrasion, but the Transporter has only a single layer all around.

The Transporter's construction quality, fit, and finish are top-notch. The attention to detail is apparent with things like heavy-duty zippers and zipper pulls, thick, burly grab handles, and high-quality webbing material. The zipper pulls are larger and easier to grab on the latest Transporter model, but as with other changes didn't significantly impact the performance or ease of use. The Transporter looks and feels like a high-end product. While other bags with reinforced bottom panels would likely hold up better to careless abuse, dragging, or rough handling, the 840-denier recycled nylon bottom is plenty durable for regular use.

Osprey also stands behind their products with a robust All Mighty Guarantee. They state, “Osprey will repair any damage or defect for any reason free of charge — whether it was purchased in 1974 or yesterday. If we are unable to perform a functional repair on your pack, we will happily replace it.” Very impressive.

Weight-to-Volume Ratio

We personally weighed the 95-liter Transporter at 2.7 pounds, which is pretty good for a high-quality giant duffel bag. It's one of the lightest full-size expedition-style duffels in our lineup.

When loading up and approaching the airline baggage allowances, you don't want a huge portion of the weight limit to be taken up by the luggage itself.

The Transporter weighs slightly less than its other closest competitors, and it achieves that weight without any significant sacrifices in quality or functionality. Its primary body material is slightly thinner than the most robust competitors, and it also includes the best backpack harness system that we tested.

Should You Buy the Osprey Transporter?

The Osprey Transporter is a high-quality, weather-resistant duffel bag that is comfortable to carry, with its excellent backpack harness. It is best suited for those who need to prioritize portability and protection from the elements over other factors. If you plan on hauling your duffel bag yourself, we strongly recommend this model thanks to its well-padded shoulder straps, adjustable chest straps, and excellent weather protection.

What Other Duffel Bag Should You Consider?

If more balanced features are what you're after, both the Patagonia Black Hole and the The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel offer style, design, and durability with excellent results, with very different organization styles. The Black Hole is a pack-it-all-in cavernous single-pocket bag, while the Voyager opts for internal dividers and organization pockets to neatly pack smaller items. For a weekend bag on a budget, the HYC00 Travel provides plenty of storage and organization options and a fair bit of protection from the elements in a satchel-style duffel bag. If your adventures take you to the most extreme environments on earth, The North Face Base Camp is the most durable duffel we have tested for years on end, and the Yeti Panga Duffel 50 is completely waterproof. Lastly, if you'd like to wheel your duffel bag instead of carrying it, the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L offers plenty of adventure-ready features — plus wheels — to help get you and your gear where you need to go.